Department of Transportation

Alternatives Considered
Alternative K
(short list)

Alternative K makes I-295 a continuous direct-through alignment in the form of a tunnel beneath I-76/Route 42. Alternative K begins in the vicinity of the Grenloch Secondary Railroad Bridge over I-295. Mainline
I-295 shifts slightly south and begins to descend at a 3.5%± grade close to New St. Mary's Cemetery. The road reaches a depth of 60' in the northwestern corner of New St. Mary's Cemetery, and a depth of 35' below the I-76/Route 42 pavement. The roadway begins to ascend at a 4% grade beside the baseball fields and is at grade to meet the I-295 pavement north of the Creek Road overpass.

Vehicles on northbound Route 42 whose destination is I-295 northbound, exit on Ramp A, which would be separated from, but parallel with, Route 42. This ramp configuration, in conjunction with the new I-295 mainline alignment, eliminates the current substandard weaving condition with Ramp E at this location. Ramp A then crosses under Ramp E before joining the depressed I-295 alignment north of Browning Road.

Ramp B provides the movement from southbound I-295 to northbound
I-76. Ramp C provides the movement from southbound I-295 to southbound Route 42. Ramp C exits I-295 from the right and Ramp B exits from the right approximately 1,000' further. Ramp B follows a similar path but to the south of its existing location to meet I-76 northbound. Ramp C crosses over Ramps B and D, and I-76. Then Ramp C passes over Browning Road and I-295 to connect with Route 42 north of the Creek Road Bridge.

Ramp D is the move from I-76 southbound to I-295 northbound. Ramp D exits I-76 in much the same way that it does now. The Ramp D alignment crosses over I-76, under Ramp C, and over I-295 before merging with
I-295 northbound south of Bell Road.

Northbound I-295 traffic heading north on I-76 utilizes Ramp E which follows essentially the same alignment as it does now.

Southbound I-76 traffic heading to I-295 southbound utilizes Ramp F. Ramp F diverts from I-76 from the right (existing exit is from the left) and then passes under Browning Road. Ramp F first runs parallel to Ramp C and then runs adjacent to I-295 southbound. Ramp F rises from a section at Browning Road to tie into I-295 southbound prior to Essex Avenue.

A summary of design features of this alternative are:

  • Northbound and southbound I-295 are side-by-side
  • Mainline I-295 is a tunnel under I-76/Route 42 on a skew
  • Ramp C on viaduct over Ramps B and D and I-76/Route 42
  • Two lane ramps except for Ramp F
  • Removes express/local lanes on I-76 westbound
  • I-295 posted speed limit: 55 mph, (design speed: 60 mph)
  • Ramp speed limits: 40 mph, (design speed: 45 mph)
Three local bridges are impacted by each of the alternatives. The Bell Road, Browning Road, and Creek Road bridges will be raised to provide proper vertical clearance and lengthened to accommodate the wider typical section of I-295 or I-76/Route 42. In addition, King's Highway will be lowered by approximately one foot under each alternative and Alternative K may require Essex Avenue to be lowered by approximately two feet.
Alternative K Map
Alternative K Map (pdf 495k)

The file listed above is in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files, which is available at our state Adobe Access page.


Last updated date: November 13, 2020 10:59 AM